Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
